The Russian “Bear” … Tu-95 strategic bombers, in service since the 1950s, have been increasingly seen in the skies around Britain, Ireland, Norway and the United States. Source: SuppliedSource: AFP

RUSSIA says it has been conducting mock “attack runs” on NATO warships in the Black Sea as reports emerge of commercial airliners having to “dodge” prowling Russian bombers.

As tensions continue to escalate over Russia’s barely concealed involvement in the Ukrainian civil war, it has adopted an increasingly aggressive posture towards its old Cold War enemies.

The Irish Examiner reports that Russian Tu-95 “Bear” bombers have been flying just 40km off that nation’s coast with little regard of crossing through major international civilian flight corridors — including flights from North America.

Meanwhile, Russian media organisations say Su-30 and Su24 attack aircraft from Russia’s Black Sea Fleet — freshly based in Crimea peninsula which was seized from Ukraine early last year — yesterday practised “penetrating air-air-systems” against warships from the US and Turkey.

Aggressor … A Russian Su-30 multi-role fighter similar to those which have been conducting mock attack runs on US and Turkish warships in the Black Sea. Source: SuppliedSource: Supplied

ATTACK RUNS

Sputnik News reports the aggressive manoeuvres over the Black Sea yesterday involved a formation of three Su-30s and four Su24s.

The American USS Vicksberg, a Ticonderoga class guided missile cruiser, and the Turkish frigate Turgut Reis were both the subject of mock attack runs on March 3, the news agency reports.

“These ships’ crews are doubtlessly conducting exercises in repelling air attacks from our planes, which gives our pilots the opportunity to gain experience in manoeuvring and conducting aerial reconnaissance both in the range of anti-air systems and outside their range,” The Sputnik News report reads.

The NATO warships are about to be reinforced by Canadian frigate Fregerickton and the Italian frigate Aliseo.

Under pressure … The guided missile cruiser USS Vicksburg (CG 69) has been the subject of provocative manoeuvres by Russian aircraft. Source: US NavySource: Supplied

It’s not the first such close encounter between Russian aircraft and US warships in the area.

In April last year, at the height of the “shadow” invasion of Crimea, a Russian Su-24 strike aircraft reportedly flashed passed the destroyer USS Donald Cook within 300 metres.

Unconfirmed reports suggest the aircraft succeeded in “paralysing” the complex Aegis anti-aircraft sensor and computer system. The fighter then made up to 12 attack runs over 90 minutes.

The US warship withdrew to a Romanian port.

A US Pentagon statement confirmed the incident as a “provocative and unprofessional” encounter.

Russia moved combat squadrons and warships into Crimea after its annexation of the Ukrainian state early last year.

Bear on the prowl … A British Typhoon fighter escorts a Russian Bear bomber last year. Source: UK DODSource:Supplied

IRELAND INCURSION

Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs says it has asked the Russian ambassador for reassurances that military aircraft — which do not operate civilian style navigation radar transponders to declare where they are — will give prior notice of their intention to enter controlled airspace.

The request comes following an incident on February 18 when two Russian bombers flew around Ireland’s coastline, causing air traffic controllers to take urgent action during the four-hour incursion to ensure the safety of civilian aircraft.

The incident happened just a month after Norwegian fighter jets spotted the strateging “Bear” bombers carrying what looked to be a nuclear-specific “seek-and-find” cruise missile. It was not believed to have been fitted with a warhead.

Russian Su-27 Flanker intercepts P-3 Orion over Baltic Sea

“The Russian military aircraft did not have their transponders switched on at the time,” an Irish Aviation Authority statement reads. “As a precautionary measure to ensure safety was maintained, the routing of one en route aircraft was changed to ensure that its track was sufficiently separated from the track of the two Russian military aircraft”.

Without transponders, the Russian aircraft were not relaying vital information such as height, speed and course.

Irish air traffic controllers then warned their British counterparts that the Russian bombers were headed into their airspace.

Air power … AN F-22 Raptor intercepts a Russian Tu-95MS strategic bomber off Alaska late last year. Source: US air forceSource: Supplied